Page 42 of Back In the Shadows

“Did he say where the place was located? We’d love to see it,” I said. He had no idea how much I wanted to see it.

Chester scratched his balding head and frowned. “He said it was tucked away somewhere. Where was it?”

My patience was wearing thin, but I couldn’t tell him to hurry the fuck up because the love of my life was being held captive and most likely at that house.

Chester snapped his fingers. “I got it. He said it was at the base of Mount Casper and hidden in the woods. It’s about an hour from here if you go north. I bet the owner would let you see it if you asked nicely and tell him you used to live in the original place.”

I closed the gap between us. “You seem like a good guy, Chester. But a word to the wise. If anyone knocks on your door wanting to see the inside of your house, don’t let them in. You could be inviting the devil in and not realize it until it’s too late.”

His bushy grey eyebrows rose in surprise as he stared into my eyes. “You … you’re. I knew there was something familiar about you, but I couldn’t quite place it.” He took a few steps back as Dixie barked at me. “Sebastian? The boy who lost his parents? I’ve only seen pictures of you when you were in high school. My stepdaughter had attended with you before I married her mother. You’ve grown up and changed, or I would have placed you sooner.”

“Wrong guy. As I said, this is my brother, Hugh,” Ryan said. “Chester, it’s been a pleasure chatting with you, but you should listen to Hugh. Don’t let strangers into your home. The world isn’t safe anymore.”

He nodded and tugged Dixie’s leash as she pulled on it to leave. “I won’t. You boys have a good day.” He started to walk away, then glanced over his shoulder at us one last time.

“Let’s go … now.” Ryan headed back to the car, and I was right behind him.

Once we were safely inside and the doors were closed, Ryan started the engine.

“I’ll look for directions.” I grabbed my phone and brought up the map of the area that included the mountain, then I zoomed into Google Earth.

“Guess Sebastian is a legend around here,” I muttered.

“I can see that. Not many nice areas like this have murders go down, but it happens more than most people realize.”

“Thanks for covering for me. Even though he was wrong about me being Sebastian, I have a feeling Chester is chatty and will tell anyone who will listen.”

A mix of anger and hope tightened my chest. If a stranger thought I was Sebastian, I clearly looked like him, but I still wasn’t willing to admit we were sharing the same body. I would deal with that later. It was time to find my little lamb and bring her home.

I searched the address of the house that was no longer standing and located images of the exterior and interior. It was the same one I remembered. Then, I looked on Google Earth at the base of the mountain and zoomed in, spotting the structure that looked like the one that had recently been torn down. “I think I found it.”

Ryan’s expression turned grave. “Do you have directions for me?”

I tapped the button, and the voice floated through my speaker. “If she’s there …”A lump formed in my throat, reminding me to remain cautious about finding her this time.

“You’ve got backup. You know I’m always armed, and I’m guessing you have more than one blade strapped to your person.”

My nostrils flared at the thought of finally getting my hands on the son of a bitch who took her. “Damn straight.”

I sucked in a lungful of air, and excitement stirred deep in the pit of my stomach as I began to plot out how I would end anyone who was involved with Ella’s kidnapping. It was going to be a fucking bloodbath, and I couldn’t wait. But first, I had to make sure Ella and my children were safe and sound, tucked away from any more harm.

20

ELLA

As I watched Xavier disappear up the stairs, followed by the creak of the door to the outside world, my father’s words echoed in my mind. He used to tease me that I was born into this world with a contingency plan. My entire life had been spent meticulously planning every move, always having a backup option in case things went awry. It was a survival instinct that constantly consumed me, and the thought of not having a plan B sent me reeling.

My mind was hazy and disoriented from the drugs coursing through my system, but a primal instinct for survival had sparked to life inside me. When Xavier carelessly left me alone in his bathroom a few hours ago, I spotted the prescription bottle he had used to drug me sitting on the sink. With trembling fingers, I opened the container to find its contents crushed into a powdery substance. I discreetly coated his damp toothbrush with the powdered pills. Would it work? I had no idea how often Xavier brushed his teeth or if enough of the drug would remain after adding toothpaste and water, but I’d had to take the chance. Not only was it the best opportunity that had presented itself. My future depended on it.

The door at the top of the stairs opened again, and I waited to see if it was Xavier or someone else.

“What the fuck did you do?” Xavier roared as he stumbled into the kitchen as if he were drunk off his ass.

He brushed his teeth!

“What’s the matter?” I feigned worry as he tripped over his feet, catching himself before he fell. A few spiders skittered away with the racket. “Are you okay? Xavier, talk to me. Let me out so I can help you.” I pounded on the glass. “I can’t help you from inside here.”

“I know what you did, you little bitch.” He staggered closer to me.

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